American History X Reviews
Top CriticNorton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.
Two things hold the interest: Norton's astounding performance, and a feeling for the male reality of reactionary working class environments.
What partly redeems American History X from its most preachy excesses -- and makes it worth seeing -- is a brilliant, career-high performance by actor Edward Norton.
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| Original Score: 2.5/4
Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem.
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| Original Score: 2.5/5
The tone is so muddled that there's a whiff of exploitation to this movie that's unsettling at best.
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| Original Score: 2/4
Arrestingly photographed, and boasting another intelligent and muscular performance by the chameleon-like Edward Norton, American History X is good!
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| Original Score: 3.5/5
The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since Do the Right Thing.
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| Original Score: 3/4
While this movie is sometimes overbaked, it is the first major studio release in a while to engross wall-to-wall.
| Original Score: 3/4
This jolting, superbly acted film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton.
When Hollywood attacks a volatile issue, it inevitably spoon-feeds you the main components of the issue several times over.
A compelling, if somewhat choppy, tragic drama!
As provocative and daring as it is, the film is also rather simplistic and obvious.
Kaye wants to say something about what produces a skinhead today, and though he doesn't succeed fully in this endeavor, he does take us a significant part of the way.
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| Original Score: 3/4
American History X may be flawed, but it's not easily forgotten.
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| Original Score: 3/4
American History X has enough fiery acting and provocative bombast to make its impact felt!
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| Original Score: 4/5
Having reduced racism to a kind of adolescent coping mechanism, X takes a mildly curious path to its foregone conclusion, writer-director Tony Kaye putting his leads through the somehow comforting 'hood-film paces.
A very good film with some dazzling moments and one truly outstanding performance!
This journey to unpleasantville is too often manipulative and strains to maintain tension.
A confused, randomly compelling family melodrama.
| Original Score: 3/5
American History X pulls open the wound of American racism and peers inside!
